Automatic reclosing circuit breaker



Sept. 18, 1945. v Y J. B. M NElLL ETAL 2,335,013

AUTOMATIC RECLQSING CIRCUIT BREAKER v 7 Filed Oct. 17, 194i *5 Sheets-Shut 2 WITNESSES:

Sept. 18, 1945. J B MacNE|L| "ETA| 2,385,013

' AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed om. 17, 1941- s sheds-sheet s Fig 4 7. .arre

Sept. 18, 1945. J. B. Ma NElLL ET AL 2,385,013

AUTOMATIC; RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Oct. 17, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 445 43/4 457 44/ wnmzsszs; 4254 Jab m/E5505 n c e/ 4 m rea J/zPdermMM/wmwmn Patented Sept. 18, 1945 AUTOMATIC RECLo'sING CIRCUIT BREAKER John B. MacNeill, Alfred J. A. Peterson, and Willard T. Parker, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania A Application octeber 17, 1941, Serial No. 415,394

27 cams. (01. 175-294) This invention" males to electrical circuit breakers for electrical transmission and distribution systems and more particularly to circuitbreakers of thetype which are automatically erable to open and reclose the circuit;

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved trip-free 'circuit'br'eaker that is automatically operable to quickly interrupt and instantaneously reclosethe circuit.

Another'object of the invention is" the provision of an improved automatic reclosing'trip-free circuit breaker embodying an operating mechanism that is automatically operable to initiate reclosing movement of the breaker at least by the time the breaker reaches open position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved automa'ticreclosing trip-free circuit breakerembodying an operating mechanism that is automatically operable to initiate reclos ing movement of the breaker immediately after interruption of the circuit and before'the breaker reaches full openposition.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker having means for interrupting'the current flow during the'initial portion of the opening stroke of the breaker,the remaining portion of the stroke serving to provide a safe gap in the circuit and an improved motor operating mechanism connected to the breaker through a trip-free connection and automatically operable to initiate reclosing of the breaker immediately after interruption of the current of the circuit and before the breaker reaches full open position; o Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker having a'pluralityof current interrupting devices connected-in series and a movable contact member which causes operation of the current interrupting devices to interrupt the current flow during the initial portion of the-opening stroke of the breaker and separates from the series of current interrupting devices during the remainder ofthe opening stroke to provide a safe gap in the circuit, and an improved operating mechanism connected to the contact member througha trip-free connection and automatically operable during an opening operation :to initiate reclosing of the breaker immediately after the current flow is interrupted and before the breaker reaches full open position. a .i 7,, .v 1 a I Another object oi the invention isithe provision of an improved automatic reclosing circuit breaker having a motor operating mechanism including an electromagnetically controlled clutch providing a trip-free connection between the motor andthe breaker, said motor and clutch being automatically operable to initiate reclosing movement of the breaker after the current flow of the circuit is interrupted and at least by the time the breaker reaches full open position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic reclosing circuit breaker as described in the preceding paragraph, wherein the closing motor is automatically energized upon the initiation of a circuit opening operation and the clutch is engaged to initiate reclosing of the breaker before the breaker reaches full openposition. I Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic reclosing circuit breaker as previously described wherein the electromagnetically controlled clutch is deenergized in response to abnormal conditions in the circuit to trip the breaker free of the closing means;

Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic reclosing trip-free circuit breaker embodying an improvedoperating mechanism that is automatically operable to produce a plurality of instantaneous reclosing operations in response to predetermined abnormal circuit conditions and that is also operableto trip the breaker free of the closing means at any time in response to predetermined abnormal circuit conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved operating means for a circuit breaker which is operable to cause a plurality of successive reclosing operations each of which reclosing operations is initiated when the movable contact member of the breaker has reached a predetermined position in its opening movement beforethe movable contact member'reaches full open position, said operating meansembodying tripping means operable at any time in response to predetermined circuit conditions to trip the breaker free of the closing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved circuit breaker having a control system which will efiect a series of substantially instantaneous reclosing operations in response to abnormal circuit conditions each of which reclosing operations is initiated when the movable contact member of the breaker has reached a predetermined position in its opening movement, the control system being so" arranged as to automatically cause a plurality of time delay reclosing operations following the series of instantane 'ous reclosures if the breaker fails to remain closed for a predetermined time following the series of instantaneous reclosures.

Another object is to provide a circuit breaker having a plurality of series related interrupting switches and a disconnecting switch with an operating means which is operable to initiate a reclosing operation after the interrupting switches are opened but before the disconnecting switch opens, said operating means embodying tripping means operable at any time in response to predetermined circuit conditions to trip the breaker free of the closing means.

Another object is to provide a circuit breaker having an improved motor operated reclosing mechanism and which is trip-free of the operating mechanism in all positions, with a control system for causing the mechanism to produce a plurality of quick fractional stroke reclosing operations of the breaker in response to abnormal circuit conditions, said operating mechanism including tripping means operable at any time in response to predetermined circuit conditions to trip the breaker free of the reclosing mechanism.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to structure and operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of several embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating a circuit breaker embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, partly insection, showing one of the lowermost pair of the plurality of pairs of currentintermpting contacts and also showing one pair .of the disconnecting contact members;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view showing part of the motor operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view,-partly in section, showing the construction of the clutch mech anism and a part of the motor drive;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line VV of Fig. 4 and showing a part of the clutch mechanism in elevation;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a control circuit which controls the breaker to make a quick fractional stroke reclosure in response to a fault and to then lock the breaker in open position; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a control circuit for causing the breaker mechanism tomake a plurality of quick reclosing operations followed by a pluralityof time delayed reclosing operations and to thenlock the breaker in open position.

Referring to Figure 1 the circuit breaker, designated generally by the reference character ii, includes a tank I3 of steel or other suitable material, a flanged cover l5 suitably secured to the tank, l3, a pair of insulating terminal bushings ll rigidly supported by the cover l5 and extending through openings therein into the tank l3, an interrupter contact assemblage 19 mounted on the lower end of each of the bushings H. a movable disconnecting switch member or blade 21 which forms a disconnecting contact member movable into and out of engagement with the interrupter contact assemblages to efifect opening and closing of the breaker, and an actuating mechanism indicated generally at 23 for moving the disconnecting switch member 2| from one position to the other. A terminal conductor 25 extends through an axial opening in each or the bushings I! in order to connect the circuit breaker in an electrical circuit. The tank I3 is filled with oil or other suitable insulating fluid to a level sufficiently high that the interrupter contact assemblages 19 are submerged.

The interrupter contact assemblages I!) are mounted between a pair of support plates 21 of insulating material. The upper ends of th support plates 21 are suitably secured to and supported by the lower ends of the terminal conductors 25.

Each of the interrupter contact assemblages l9 comprises a plurality of pairs of separable circuit interrupting contact members 29 and 3! 2). While only the lowermost pair of separable contact members 29 and 3! has been illustrated in detail in Fig. 2 it is to be understood that any desired number of pairs of contact members 29 and 3| may be assembled on the lower end of each of the terminal members 25. Each of the plurality of pairs of contact members 29-and 3| and the associated structure are the same, consequently only one pair of contacts will be described.

The contact member 29 (Fig. 2) is pivotally supported on a pin 33 which extends through both support plates 21 and is biased toward the contact 3| by springs "(iii (only one being shown). The springs 35 arespaced apart and are compressed between the contact member 29 and the bottom of an arc extinguishing device 31 for the adjacent pair of contacts, there being an are extinguisher 31 associated with each pair of the interrupting contacts.

The other contact member Si is pivotally supported on a pin 39 which extends through the support plates 21. The contact member 3| is providedwitha. contact portion ll which isadapted to cooperate with a contact portion 43 of the contact member 29. The contact members 31 for each of the interrupter assemblages are operatively connected to a bar B5 of insulatingmaterial by means of pins 41 in such a manner that vertical movement of the bar simultaneously moves all of thecontact members 3| to open and close the interrupter contacts "-43. The mechanically connected contact members il are biased toward open position by means of tension springs 49 (only one being shown) dispmed one on each side of the lowermost contact member 3|. One end of each of the springs 49 is connected to the pin 11 connecting the lowermost contact member 3| (Fig. 2) to the tie bar 45. The other ends of the springs 49 are connected to a pin 5| extending through the support plates 21.

As mentioned previously there is an are extinguisher 31 associated with each pair of contacts "-43. Each of these are extinguishers comprises a stack of slotted plates 52 of insulating material and having slotted iron plates 53 interposed at spaced intervals between the insulating plates. These slotted iron plates cause the are to be drawn out horizontally in the chamber 55 formed by the slots in the plates.

Since the level of the insulating fluid is above the contact assemblages I9, the chambers 55 will An upper insulating plate 59 of each of the arc extinguishers 31 is secured to the support plates 21 b means of bolts 6| (Fig. 1), and bolts 63 extend through openings in a bottom plate 65 and the stack of slotted plates to secure these parts to the upper plate 59.

The contact members 29 are connected by flexible shunt conductors 61 (only one being shown) to the contact member 3| immediately above, and the upper contact member 29 of each assemblage I9 is connected by a similar flexible shunt conductor (not shown) to its corresponding terminal conductor 25, thus electrically connecting the several pairs of contact members 29 and 3| in series with each other and with the breaker terminal 25.

The switch member 2| of conducting material is securely mounted intermediate its ends on the lower end of an actuating rod 69 of insulating material which is operatively connected to the breaker actuating mechanism. The disconnecting switch member 2| is provided with a pair of flat vertical projections or contacts II adapted to engage and actuate the contacts of the interrupter assemblages I9. Mounted on the lower end of each of the bars 45 is a contact I3 which is electrically connected to the lowermost one of the contact members 3| by means of a flexible shunt conductor I5. The contact I3 comprises opposed contact fingers 11 secured to a member I4 of conducting material, and biased toward each other by leaf springs I9. The member I4 is secured to the lower end of the bar 45. V-shaped guides 8| facilitate entrance of the vertical contact portions 'II of the disconnecting switch member 2| into engagement with the contacts I3.

The circuit breaker is shown in Fig. 1 in the closed circuit position. When the breaker is tripped the disconnecting switch member 2| moves downwardly away from the two interrupter assemblages I9. During this movement the springs 49 which bias the connected contact members 3| away from the contacts 29 cause the contacts 3| to move toward open position. As a result a series of arcs is formed, one in each of the arc extinguishing chambers 55.

The distance between the pivot pin 39 for the contact member 3| and the pin 41 which connects the contact members 3| to the tie bar 45 is considerably less than the distance .from the pivot pin 39 to the point of engagement of the contact 4I43, consequently the speed of-separation of the pairs of contacts 4I--43 is much greater than the speed of movement of the disconnecting switch member 2|. opening movement of the disconnecting switch member 2|, after the contacts 4I-43 are fully open, causes the vertical contact portions II of the switch member 2| to disengage the contacts I3 on the lower ends of the bars 45. The extent of the downward movement of the disconnecting switch member 2| is arranged to provide a predetermined gap of considerable length between the vertical contact portions 'II and the contacts I3.

Movement of the disconnecting switch from its fully open position to its closed position first closes the gap between the contact projections II and the contacts I3, after which the continued upward travel of the disconnecting switch actuates the bars 45 simultaneously to close all of the interrupting contacts 4|43. The circuit breaker per se described above is of the same general type that is full disclosed in United States Patent r Continued downward or 'tatable with a worm'gear I39.

rotation with the shaft 9|.

2,192,772, granted March 5, 1940, to J. B. Mac- Neill, and which is assigned to the assigneeof this invention.

The operating mechanism 23 for operating the circuit breaker comprises a, motor 83 (Figs. 1 and 3) of any'suitable type which is supported on a plate 85 extending downwardly from the base plate 86 of a housing 81 which encloses a tripfree connecting mechanism for coupling the motor to'the circuit breaker mechanism. The base plate 86 of the housing 81 is secured tothe cover I 5 of the tank in any suitable manner. The motor 83 is adapted to drive a shaft 89 which extends into the housing 81 where it is connected through a trip-free connection to a shaft 9| (Fig. 4) rotatably mounted inbearings 93 supported in the side members of the housing, as will be more fully described later. 9 Referring now to Fig. 1 it can be seen that one end of the shaft 9| projects outside of the housing 81 and has secured thereto a crank arm the free end of which is connected by means of a pin 91 to one end of a link 99. The other end of the link 99 is pivotally connected by a'pin I9I to the free end of an arm I93 secured on a shaft I95 also rotatably supported in the housing side members. A link I91 operatively connect the upper end of the circuit breaker actuating rod 69 to the free end of an arm I99 which is also secured on the shaft I95. An accelerating or circuit opening spring II I having one end attached to the free end of an arm |I3 secured to the shaft I95 and the other end attached to a fixed pin H5 is provided to quickly open the circuit breaker.

The housing 81 which encloses the actuating mechanism 23 includes the base plate 89 to which is secured a pair of side members I" and H9, a bottom plate I2 I, a top plate I23 and a cover plate I25. These members are suitably secured together to form an enclosing structure substantially in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. 4

Referring now particularly to Fig. 4 the actuating mechanism 23 mounted in the housing 81 includes a clutch device I2'I for establishing a'driving connection between the motor 83 and the shaft 9| which is operatively connected to the disconnecting switch member 2|. The clutch, indicated generallyat I 2'I (Fig. 4) is of the friction band type and is provided with a primary clutch band I29 and a secondary clutch band I3 I. These clutch; bands are adapted to cooperate with a clutch drum I33 mounted for rotation with the shaft 9|. One end of the secondary clutch band I3I is secured by means of a pin I35 (Fig. 5) to a member I31 which is rotatable on the hub of the drum I33. The member I3'I is secured to and ro- The worm gear I39 mesheswith and is driven by a worm I4I connected to the upper end of the drive shaft 89. The other end of the secondary clutch band I3I is connected by a pin I43 to one end of the primary clutch band I29 the other end of which cooperates with a clutch arm I45.

In order to actuate the clutch bands I29 and I 3| and establish a driving connection between the motor driven worm gear I39 and the operating shaft 9| there is provided an electromagnetic clutch indicated generally at I5I (Fig. 4). A clutch coil I53 is enclosed in but insulated from a housing I55 of magnetic material mounted for The electromagnetic clutch I5I also includes an armature I5'I secured by means of a disc spring I59 to the hub of the clutch arm I45. Screws |6I secure the outer porshown) tion of the disc spring to the. armature I51, and screws I63 secure the inner portion of the disc spring to the hub of the clutch arm I45.

As long as the coil I53 remains unenergized, the armature I51, the clutch arm I45, the clutch bands I29 and I3I, the member I31 and the worm gear I39 driven by the worm I4I, are free to rotat about the shaft 9I. When the clutch coil I53 is energized, however, it attracts the armature I51 which moves into frictional engagement with the face of the housing I55. This effects tightenin of the clutch bands I29 and I3I on the drum I 33 whereupon the drum and the shaft 9I will be rotated to effect closure of the circuit breaker contacts.

The primary clutch band I29 and the secondary clutch band I3I are normally held out of contact with the clutch drum I33 by means of clutch release springs I65 and IE1 respectively. Referring toFig. the spring I65 surrounds a screw bolt I59 projecting through an opening in the pin I43 and through a-portion of the clutch band I29 which is looped around the pin. The bolt I69 is screwed into a block I1I secured to the other end of the'clutch band I29. The spring I 55 is compressed between the looped portion of the clutch band and the block I II to prevent engagement of the clutch band I29 with the drum I33 and to dis engage the clutch band from the drum. Similarly the spring I61 surrounds a bolt I13 extending through the pins I35 and I43 and is compressed between the looped ends of the clutch band I3I surrounding the pins to prevent engagement of the secondary clutch band I3I with the drum I33 and to release the band I3I from the drum. .A Wedge shaped member I15 secured to the'block I1I cooperates with aroller I11 on a pin I19 in the clutch arm I45 to initially tighten the primary clutch band I29.

When the motor 83 is running and the clutch coil I53 is unenergized, the worm gear I39 and the member I31 rotate in a clockwise direction (Fig. 5). The secondary clutch band I3I is rotated about the drum I33 in the same direction through the agency of the pin I35, and the spring I61 transmits this movement to the pin I43 which carries the primary clutch band I29 also in a clockwise direction about the drum I 33. As the primary clutch band rotates, the wedge shaped member I15 cooperating with the roller I11 causes the clutch arm' I45 and the armature I 51 to rotate clockwise relative to the clutch coil housing I35, the shaft 9I and the drum I33.

When the clutch coil I53 is energized, as will be hereinafter described, the armature I51 is attracted and frictionally engages the housing I55. This frictional engagement attempts to stop the rotation of the clutch arm I45 and by means of the wedge'member I15 forces the primary clutch band I29 into engagement with the drum I33; causing compression of the springs I65 and IE1 and tightening both the primary and the secondary clutch bands on the drum I33. This forms a driving connection between the motor drive shaft 89 and the operating shaft 9| whereby the motor 83 operates the breaker to closed contact position.

The shaft 9I, the crank arm 95 and the link 99 are held in the closedposition by means of a latch IBI (Fig. 3) in order to hold the circuit breaker in closed circuit position. The latch I8I is pivotally supported on a pin I83 supported on a pair of U-shaped spaced plates I85 (only one being The plates I85 are spaced apart by suitable spacers (not shown) and are secured on a projection I81 extending inwardly from the plate 85, by means of bolts I89. The plates I85 are also secured by bolts I9I to a boss (not shown) on the bottom plate I! I.

A spring I93 biases the latch I8I into latching engagement with a latch roller I rotatably mounted on a pin I91 in the clutch coil housing I55, the roller I95 being disposed in a semi-anhular groove in the periphery of the housing I55. The spring I93 is compressed between a projection I94 on the latch HM and a plate I96 (Fig. 3) mounted between the plates I85 and suitably secured thereto. The latch I8I is normally locked in latching engagement with the latch roller I95 by means of a trigger latch I99. The trigger latch is pivoted on a pin 2M supported in projections 203 extending upwardly from a plate 205 secured to the tops of the plates I95. A spring 291 biases the notched end of the trigger latch I99 into latching engagement with the latch member I8I.

Referring to Fig. 1, it can be seen that the accelerating spring I I I acting through the arm II3, shaft I95, the arm I93 and the link 99 biases the crank arm. 95 and the shaft 9! in clockwise direct on. In Fig. 3, which is a View of the mechanism looking in the opposite direction from Fig. the shaft SI and the clutch coil housing I55 arebiased in a counterclockwise direction, but are prevented from rotation by the latch I8I.

The trigger latch I99 is operated to free the latch ISI and cause opening of the breaker by means of an electromagnetic trip device 299 including a trip coil 2II (Fig. 3). The coil 2II is mounted on a stationary core 223 which is supported by angular brackets 2I5 depending from the plate 295. A movable armature 2I1 is mounted on a trip rod 2I9 extending through an axial opening in the stationary core H3. The upper end of the trip rod 2I9 is in axial alignment with a strip pin 22I slida-ble vertically in an opening in the plate 205 and in a boss 223 secured to the plate. The lower end of the trip rod 2I9 extends through an opening in the plate I95 and a nut 221 is provided on a threaded portion of the trip rod 2I9 for the purpose of adjustin the open air gap of the movable armature 2I1 and for limiting the downward movement of the movable core 2 I 1.

When the trip coil 2II is energized, as will be described later, the trip rod 2 I9 is thrust upwardly striking the trip pin 22I which operates the trigger latch I99 to release the main latch IN. The spring III (Fig. 1) then acts to operate the breaker mechanism to open circuit position as previously set forth. As the clutch coil housing 555 rotates to open position, the roller 595 rocks the latch ISI clockwise and an arcuate surface 229 of the housing I55 engages a portion 23I of the latch I9I to restrain the latch in its disengaged position. During the time the latch I9! is in its disengaged position, the spring 291 biases the trigger latch against the free end of the latch I9I.

When the trip coil 2! I is deenergized, the movable core 2I1 and the trip rod 2I9 drop downwardly to the unattracted position, but the trig ger latch I99 is held up by the latch I3I unt'n the circuit breaker is moved to the closed circuit position through the agency of the motor actuating mechanism 23. As the breaker arrives at th closed position, the latch I8! (Fig. 3) is moved into latching engagement with the latch roller I95 by the spring I93, at which time the sprin 291 moves the trigger latch I99 into engagement with the latch I8! thus latching the breaker in the closed position.

In ordinary opening operations of the circuit breaker, that is, when the breaker is opened permanently, the interrupting, or arcing contacts 4!-43 (Fig. 2) are opened during the first part of the downward movement of the breaker actu ating rod 69. After the interrupting contacts have reached their full open position, the actuating rod continues in a downward directiondiseneasing the contacts 1!11 and introduces a large, additional gap in series with the interrupter contacts.

One of the objects of this invention is to pro-' vide a reclosing mechanism which permits the accelerating spring I!! (Fig. 1) tooperate the actuating rod 69 toward open position a sufllcient amount to fully open the circuit interrupting contacts 4!43, but which initiates a reclosing movement of the rod before the disconnecting contacts open. As the actuating rod travels toward open position, the interrupting contacts 4!.-43 are opened. Since the majority of fault currents are interrupted and the arcs extinguished within the interrupters !9, it is unnecessary that the actuating rod travel toward open position beyond the point where the interrupting contacts 4!--43 have reached their fully open positions. Therefore the operating mechanism previously described is energized at a time suchthat it will initiate the reclosing movement of the breaker when the interrupting contacts have reached their open positions and before the disconnecting contacts 1!--11 open. The downward travel of the actuating rod 69 is reversed at this point and the rod moved back toward closed position to immediately reclose the interrupting contacts and reestablish the circuit. By thus limiting the opening travel of the actuating mechanism to that required to extinguish the are on automatic reclosing operations and initiating the reclosing from this fractional part of the stroke, a considerable reduction of the time interval for interruption and reclosing of the circuit is obtained.

In order to control the circuit breaker and the motor operating mechanism therefor to accom plish interruption of the circuit in response to predetermined abnormal conditions in the circuit and the quick automatic reclosing operation, the control system illustrated diagrammatically in 6 is provided.

' Referring now to Fig. 6, two of the circuit breaker units are connected to a single operating mechanism 23 previously described and the breakers are shown as connecting load circuit conductors,233 and 235 to main conductors 231 and 239. A protective device 24! is provided which includes an energizing coil 243 arranged to be energized from the secondary winding 245 of a current transformer associated withone of the load conductors. When a fault occurs on the power line, the protective device 24! is energized and closes its contacts 241. Closure of the contacts 241 completes a circuit through'the trip coil 2! I.

from one source conductor 249 of an auxiliary power sourcecomprising the conductor 249, and a source conductor 25!, through the contacts 241, a conductor 253, a conductor 255, the trip coil 2! I, a conductor 251, auxiliary contacts 259 of the breaker whichv are closed when thev breaker is closed, and a conductor 26! to the source conductorv 25!. Energization of the trip coil 2l'!,-as previously described, operates the trigger latch I99 (Figs. 3 and 6) to free the latch l8! and permit the spring N! (Fig. 1) to operate the breaker toward open position.

Closure of the contacts 241 also energizes the coil of a reclosing relay 263 simultaneously with the energization of the trip coil 2! The circuit for energizing the relay 263 extends from the source conductor 249 through the contacts 241, the conductors 253 and 255, coil of relay 263 and a conductor 265 to the source conductor 25!. When the relay 263 is energized, it closes its contacts 261 establishing a circuit through a motor control relay coil 269 extending from the source conductor 249 through the contacts 261, conductors 21! and 215, the contacts 211 of a camoperatedlimit switch 218 (Fig. 3) which closes as soon as the breaker I starts to open, a conductor 219, the coil of relay 269, a conductor 28!, the contacts 233 of a relay 285, conductors 281, 289 and 29! to the source conductor 25! Energization of the relay 269 supplies energy to the motor 83 over a circuit from the source conductor 249 through a conductor 293, the contacts 269a, a conductor 295, the windings of the motor 83 and the conductors 291 and 29! to theconductor 25!. The motor 93 now starts to accelerate and at the same time the clutch coil !53 is energized by closure of the contacts 261 and couples the motor to the breaker mechanism. The circuit for energizing the clutch coil extends from the source conductor 249 through the contacts 261, conductors 21! and 215, contacts 211, conductors 219 and 30!, the clutch coil I53, a conductor 303, contact 305 of a relay 301 and conductors 281, 289 and 29! to the source conductor 25!. The relay 269 seals itself in parallel with the contacts 261 through its own contacts 26% in order to keep the motor 63 and clutch coil 53 energized after the relay 263 is'deenergized and the contacts 261 opened. The holding circuit for the relay 2'69 can be traced from the source conductor 249 through the conductor 293, the contacts 269b, conductors 299, 213 and 215, contacts 211, the conductor 219, coil of relay 269, conductor 28!, contacts 283 of relay 285,,and conductors 281, 209 and 29! to the source conductor 25 I.

As the motor 83, which is now running, is coupled to the breaker actuating mechanism by energization of the clutch coil I53, the movement of the switch member 2! (Fig. 1) of the breaker toward open position is stopped and immediately returned to closed position. Just before reaching the closed position, the contacts, 211 are opened which deenergizes the relay 269 and the clutch coil I53. Whenthe relay 269 is deenergized, the contacts-269a and 2691) open, deenergiz-.

ingthe motor 83. Deenergization of the clutch coil I53, disconnects the motor 93 from the breakermechanism.

If the fault condition causing the overload has been cleared, as the breaker reaches-the closed position, the latch !8! (Fig. 3) moves into engagement with the latch roller !95 and the trigger latch !99 engages the latch !9! to hold the breaker in closed position.

The contacts 211 of the limit switch 218 are operated by a cam 280 (Fig. 3) adjustably secured on theend of the shaft 9! by screws 282. The cam 280 cooperates with a roller 309 rotatably mounted on a pin-3!! carried by a cam arm (H3. The cam arm is pivotally mounted on a pin 3|5 supported in a bracket 3!1 projecting from a closure 3!9 which houses the contacts 211. The closure 3!9 is suitably secured to the side members !!9 of the housingfl'! and has a plunger 32! slidably projecting therefrom and biased into cooperative relation with the cam arm 3I3 by the spring blade of one of the contacts 211. The innor end of the plunger 32I cooperates with the limit switch contacts 211 and is adapted, when moved into the closure 313, to close said contacts.

The cam arm 313 (-Fig. 3) is biased in a counterclockwise direction, i. e., in a direction to close the contacts 211, by a spring 323. As'previously stated the shaft 9| is rotated in a counterclockwise direction when the breaker is tripped and moved toward open position. The configuration of the cam 280 is such that shortly after the shaft 9I starts its counterclockwise or opening movement, it permits the spring 323 to rock the cam arm 3|3 counterclockwise to close the contacts 211. The contacts 211 remain closed until just before the breaker mechanism arrives at the closed position whereupon the cam 288 rocks the cam arm 3I3 clockwisepermitting the contacts 211 to open.

The free end 325 of the cam arm 3I3 (Fig. 3) forms an armature which, under certain conditions, is attracted bya lockout coil 321 (Figs. 3 and 6) to prevent closure of the contacts 211.

If the circuit breaker should be closed against afault, it will immediately be tripped freeof the closing means and return to the open position. As the breaker approaches closed position under this circumstance, the protective relay I again functions to close the contacts 241. This energizes the trip coil 2H which holds the trigger latch I99 out of engagement with the latch member IBI thus preventing the breaker from latching up in the closed position.

In order to disengage the clutchv coil I53 and open the energizing circuit to the motor 93 when the breaker closes against a fault, relays 285and 381 are provided. These relays, when energized, respectively open the circuits to. the motor relay 269 and clutch coil I53 permitting the breaker to go to its fully open position where it is locked out. This provides a trip free operation, that is, deenergization of the clutch coil I53 when the breaker closes against a persistent fault immediately disconnectsthe breaker mechanism from the closing motor and permits the circuit breaker to immediately open.

When therelay coil 269 was energized on the initial opening operation of the breakerby the contacts 261 and 211, a relay 329 was energized simultaneously therewith through a. conductor 33I, coil of relay 329 and the conductor 29l to the source conductor 251. Energization of. the relay 329 closes its contacts 333 setting up a circuit to energize the relays 285 and 381; the circuit for these relays extending from the source. conductor 249 through the contacts 241 of the protective relay, a conductor 335, the contacts 333, a conductor 331, the coils of relays .285 and 301 which are wired in parallel, conductors 339 and 341 respectively, breaker auxiliary contacts 259 and conductor 2Sl to the source conductor 25I. As the breaker approaches closed position with a fault on the line the contacts 259 close and the protective relay-functions to close the contacts 241 momentarily energizing therelays 285 and 301. Energization of the coil of, relay 285 causes opening of the contacts 283 which opens the circuit for the coil of the motor control, the relay 269 causing this relay to drop out. This opens the circuit to the motor 83 and also opens the holding circuit for relay- 299. At the same time energization of the relay coil 381 causes this relay to open the contacts 305 and close contacts 343. Opening of the contacts 385 deenergizes the clutch coil I53 and closing of the contacts 343 establishes a circuit through a holdin coil 345 which, when energized, holds the clutch circuitopen' at the contacts 385 until the contacts 291 open upon deenergization oi the protective relay 24l. The coil 345 is energized overa circuit extending from the source conductor 249 through the contacts 261, the conductors 2H and 219, coil 345, contacts 343, and the conductors 289 and 29I to the source con ductor 25I. Operation ofthe coil 345 prevents reenergization of the clutch coil I53 following a trip free operation of the breaker and prevents pumping action of the breaker. The breaker, therefore, goes immediately to its open position and may not be reclosed until the control circuit is energized by operation of a manual switch 341.

As soon as the breaker starts to open the protective relay 2 is deenergized opening the contacts 241 .and deenergizing the relay 263. This opens the contacts 261 deenergizing the coil 345 permitting the contacts .343 to open and contacts 365 to close. At the same. time, auxiliary contacts 259 open deenergizing relay coils 285 and 381. The contacts 283 of the relay 285 now close but the circuit for the motor control relay 269 is open at the contacts 261 and the relay 269 remains deenergized.

The circuit breaker is now in its fully open position'with the disconnecting switch member 21 (Fig. 1) in the fully opened position indicated by dot and dash lines at 21a, and the interrupting contacts 4I43 are in the open'position. In order to close the breaker, the manual switch 341 is closed which energizes the control circuit in parallel with the contacts 261, the circuit extending from the source conductor 249 through the contactsof the manual switch 341, a conductor 348, the conductors-2H and Y215, the contacts 211 closed when the breaker is open, the conductor 219, coil of the motor control relay 269, the conductor 28I, the contacts 283 and conductors 281, 299 and 29I to the source conductor 25L This energizes the motor 83 as previously described and at the same time the clutch coil I53 is energized over the conductor 3M, clutch coil I53, contacts 305 and conductors 231, 289 and 291 tothe source conductor 25!. The switch 341 is closed momentarily or until the previously described holding circuit through the contacts 269b has been established by the relay coil 269.

If the breaker is closed, by manipulation of the manual switch 341, against a fault on the transmission line it will be immediately tripped open free of the closing means by deenergization of the clutch in the manner previously described.

The majority of faults occurring on electrical transmission lines are of very short duration and usually disappear within afew half cycles of the alternating current when the ionizing potential is removed from the line. Thus if the circuit is interrupted and quickly reclosed the fault usually disappears and normal conditions may be resumed. Conventional circuit breakers for use on high voltage transmission lines are usually constructed to automatically trip open in response to a fault, on the line and to immediately reclose. Such breakers, however, usually reopen and are locked out in an open position if the fault persists beyond the time required for one quick reclosure.

It frequently happens that the fault persists for a very short timeafter the circuit has been interrupted a second time. In this condition it is desirable to provide a series of instantaneous reclosures, two or more, so that'should the fault associated with one of the conductors.

have disappeared on any one of the series of reclosure the breaker will remain closed and normal conditions prevail.

Heretofore it has not been possible toobtain more than one quick automatic reclosing operation, i. e. a reclosing operation initiated before the breaker reaches full open position, and still retain the important trip free feature. This is because with the prior art constructions, it is necessary to wait for the mechanism to reset before a second reclosing operation can be initiated. The present invention provides a circuit breaker operating mechanism which can be operated to provide two or more successive'quick automatic reclosing operations each initiated before the breaker reaches full open position and yet the breaker can always be tripp d free of the closing means at any time in response to a fault.

If the fault has not been cleared by two or more successive quick reclosing operations, it is desirable in some cases to provide for one or more time delayed reclosing operations following the quick reclosing operation as a final resort to clear the fault. A control arrangement for controlling the motor operated circuit breaker mechanism previously described to provide a plurality of substantially instantaneous reclosures followed by a plurality of time delay reclosures is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure '1. Since this control system is applied to the circuit breaker mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 through 5, the same reference characters are applied to the corresponding mechanical parts.

Referring now to Fig. '1, let it be assumed. that the circuit breaker is in the closed positionconnecting electrical conductors I and 353 to the main power supply lines 355 and 351. A protective relay 359 is provided having an energizing winding 36I arranged to be energized from the secondary windin 363 of a current transformer When a fault occurs on the line 35I-353, the protective relay 359 is operated and closes contacts 36Ia and 36 lb. Closure of contacts 36 la energizes the previously described trip coil 2 I I which actuates the trigger latch I99 allowing the breaker to move toward open position. The circuit for energizin the trip coil 2 I I can be traced as follows: from a source conductor 369 through the contacts 36Ia, conductors 313 and 315, the trip coil 2I I, a con-' ductor 311, auxiliary contacts 319 of the circuit breaker and conductor 38I to the source conductor 31I. Energization of the trip coil 2| I unlatches the breaker in the previously described manner and allows it to open. Y

At the same time closure of the contacts 36lb energizes a motor control relay 383, the energizing circuit extending from the source conductor 369 through the contacts 385a of a transfer relay 385, a conductor 381, the contacts 36Ib, a conductor 389, a conductor 39l, breakerauxiliary contacts 393 closed when the breaker starts to open, conductors 395 and 391, the winding of the motor control relay 383 and a. conductor 399 to the source conductor 31I. Energization of the relay coil 383 closes two sets of contacts 383a and 383b. Closure of contacts 383a energizes the winding of the reclosing motor 83. The circuit for the motor extends from the source conductor 369 through a conductor 40I, a wire 435, the contacts 383a,.a conductor 405, the windin of the motor 83, a conductor 481, and the conductor 38I to the conductor 31I. Closure of the contacts 383b establishes a holding circuit forthe relay 383 from the conductor 369,

through contact 385a,. conductor 381, a conductor 488, the contacts 383b, the conductor 39I, auxiliary contacts 393, the conductors 395 and 391, coil of relay 383, conductor 399 to the conductor 31I. 1

During the opening movement of thebreaker, the clutch coil I53 is energized and mechanically connects the motor 83 to thebreaker. This stops the downward movement of the switch member 2| and starts the breaker toward closed position. The clutch coil I53 is energized by means of an adjustable limit switch 489, which may be adjusted to close at any point in-the opening travel of the switch member 2 I, butwhich is adjusted in the present case to close just before the disconnecting contacts 1I13 open, but after the series interrupters 4 I-4 3 have opened. The circuit for energizing the clutch coil extends from the conductor 369, the transfer relay contacts 385a, conductor 498, the contact 383b, conductor .39I, breaker auxiliary contacts 393, conductor 395, limit switch 409, conductor 4I3,' clutchcoil I53, conductor 4I5, contacts 4I1a of a relay M1 and conductors M9 and 42 I to the conductor 31I, 7

Thus the motor is started and clutched to the breaker so as to initiate reclosing of the breaker immediately after the circuit isinterrupted and before the disconnecting contacts 1I-11- open.

As the breaker approaches the closed position, the contacts 393 open, deenergizing the coil of the motor control relay 383 which deenergizes the winding of the motor 83 and opens the circuit to the clutch coil I53 in order to mechanically disconnect the motor from the breaker. The

breaker latches in the closed position, and if the fault on the line hasdisappeared, the breaker remains in the closed position. If, however, the fault persists, the protective relay 359 is again energized and the breaker again starts to open and quickly recloses from an intermediate position as previously described. I

When the breaker closes against a fault, it is necessary to disconnect the motor from the breaker in order that the breaker may immediately open free of the closing means. The motor is disconnected from the breaker by deenergizing the clutch coil I53 and the fast operating relay 4I1, which has its contacts 4I1a in the clutch coil circuit, is provided for this purpose. If the breaker closes when the fault is still on the line, the protective relay 359 will be energized shortly before the breaker reaches its fully closed position, thus closing the contacts 36Ia. This completes a circuit through the coil of relay M1 in parallel with the circuit through the trip coil 2| I. This circuit may be traced from the conductor 369 through the contacts 36Ia, conductor 313, coil of the relay 4I1, a conductor 423, auxiliary contacts 319 and conductor 38I- to the conductor 31I. The coil of relay 4I1 thus energized opens the contacts 4I1a and deenergizes the clutch coil I53.

Provision is made to effect a predetermined numberof substantially instantaneous fractional stroke reclosures, that is, reclosures which are initiated before the breaker has reached its fully open position. The means for effecting the plurality of reclosures includes a system of interlocking relays which are energized sequentially and after a predetermined number of quick reclosures energize a transfer relay 385. This transfer relay causes-energization of a device 4I8 herein referred to as a recloser which controls the breaker to make a predetermined number of timed reclosures followingthe series of substantially instantaneous reclosures if the breaker fails to remain closed.

The interlocking relay system includes relays 425, 426 and 421 each of which is providedwith a plurality of make and break contact members.

A timing relay 429 is provided to time the periods during which the breaker is in the closed position. Should the breaker remain closed on any one of its closing strokes beyond the time interval as measured by the timingrelay 429,1a slow dropout relay 43! is provided to automatically reset the interlocking relay system to its initial position. The circuit for energizing the timing relay 429 extends from the conductor 359 through the wires 40! and 435, contacts 4210 of the relay 421, a conductor 433, contacts 426g of the relay 426, a conductor 432, the contacts 425d of the relay 425, a conductor 434, coil of the timing relay 429 and the conductor 443 to the conductor 31!.

On the initial or first opening stroke of the breakerQan auxiliary contact member 433 of the circuit breaker closes and establishes a circuit for energizing the winding of relay 425 from the conductor 369-through the conductor 43!, conductor 435, contacts 426a of the relay 425, a conductor 431, auxiliary contacts 433, a conductor 439, contacts 425i, a conductor 44!, coil of relay 425, and conductor 443 to the conductor 31!.

It can be seen that when the winding of relay' 425 is energized on the first opening stroke of the breaker, the timing relay 429 which is energized when the breaker is in the closed position will now be deenergized through the opening of the contact members 425d of the relay 425. Deenergization of the timing relay 425 causes its pendulum member 4291) to vibrate and intermittently open and close its contacts 429a for the predetermined time interval for which the relay 429 has been set. The slow drop out relay 43! which is energized when the contacts 429a of the timing relay are closed is so constructed that it will remain closed and hold its contact members 431a in closed position as long as the vibrating pendulum 4291) continues to intermittently open and close its contacts 429a.

When the relay coil 425 is energized, it establishes a circuit for energizing the-relay coil 425 in series with the coil 42 5. This circuit extends from the conductor 359 through a conductor 445. the contact 43 la, conductors 441 and 449, the coil of relay 426, conductor the contacts 425a, conductors 44!, coil of relay 425, and conductor 443 to the conductor 31!.

If the disturbance persists upon the first quick reclosure of the breaker, the protective relay 359 is again energized and the breaker is tripped and permitted to open as previously described.- During the second opening stroke of the breaker, the contacts 433 again close and at this closure shunt out the coil of relay 425 causing this relay to open its contacts 425a and 4251). The shunt circuit for the coil 425 may be traced from one side of the coil 425 through conductors 443 and 453, contacts 426e, conductor 431, contacts 433, conductor 439, contacts 425d, conductors 455 and 45l, contacts 425a, and conductor 44! to the other side of the coil 425.

As the relay 425 now opens, the relay 421 is energized from-the auxiliary power source through the contacts 4250 and 426a, the circuit extending from the conductor 359, conductor 445, contacts 43m, conductor 451, contacts 425c of the relay 425, a conductor 453, contacts 425a, conductors 46! and 463, coil of the relay 421, conductor 443 and to the conductor 31!.

As the breaker moves toward its open position for the second time, the motor 83 is again energizedby the motor control relay contacts 383 and the clutch coil !53 is energized by the contacts 409 causing the motor to pick up the breaker and close it again. During the second closure, the contacts 433 open deenergizing the relay coil 425 which, after the relay 425 dropped out, was energized over these contacts, the circuit extending from the conductors 369 through the conductor 445, contacts 43Ia, conductors 441 and 449, coil of relay 426, conductors 45! and 455, contacts 426d, conductor 439, contacts 433, conductor 431, contacts 426e, conductors 453 and 443 to conductor 31!.

The coil of relay 421, when energized, seals itself through the contacts 421a, the circuit extending from the conductor 339 through conductor 445, contacts 43la, conductor 441, contacts 421a, conductor 463, coil of relay 421, conductor 443 to the conductor 31!.

The circuit breaker has now been closed for the second time and if the fault is still present on the main power line the protective relay 359 is again energized and causes the breaker to move toward openposition for a third time.

As the breaker opens for the third time, the contacts 433 are closed and again energize the relay coil 425 over the previously described circuit including the contacts 426e, contacts 433 and the contacts 426). The previously described electricalinstrumentalities now function to cause the breaker to close for a third time. When the relay coil 425-is energized and closes it contacts, the relay coil 425 is again energized in series with relay coil 425'through the previously described circuit which extends from the conductor 369 through the conductor 445, contacts 431a, conduciors 441 and 449, coil of relay 423, conductor 45!, contacts 425a, conductor 44!, coil of relay 425 and conductor 443 to the conductor 31!.

The relay coils 425, 426 and 421 at this time are all energized together for the first tim and the transfer relay 385 will now be energized from the auxiliary power supply conductors 353 and 31! through the contact members of all three relays. The circuit for energizing the transfer relay coil 335 extends from the conductor 389 through conductors 40! and 435, contacts 421b, conductor 435, contacts 426b, conductor 451, contacts 425b, conductor 46!, coil of relay 3B5, conductor 399 to the conductor 31!.

Energization of the transfer relay coil 385 closes two sets of contacts 3855 and 3850 and open two sets of contacts 385a and 385d. Openmg of the contacts 385a opens the circuit for energizing the motor control relay coil 353 and the clutch coil I53. Closing of the contacts 385?) establishes a circuit through the automatic reclos ing device 4 5, the circuit extending from the conductor 399 through a conductor 41!, auxiliary breaker contacts 413, conductor 415, the contacts 33%, conductor 411, the recloser H3, and conductor 393 to the conductor 31!. The functioning oithe recloser 4!!! will be more fully set forth later.

Closing of the contacts 3550 sets up a holding circuit for the relay coil 385 to prevent its dropping out when relay coils 425, 426 and 421 are deenergized. This holding circuit may be traced from the conductor 369, through conductors 441 and 413, contacts 48 !a of a relay 48!, a conductor 4l3,'contacts 3850, conductor 485, relay cell 385 and the conductor 399 to the conductor 31 I. The circuit through the transfer relay coil 385 will thus be maintained until the coil of relay 49I is energized which occurs momentarily as the recloser 4 I8 is automatically reset after completing its functions.

Opening of the contacts 385d opens that part of the source circuit 36931I which supplies the relays 425, 428 and 421 and causes these relays to drop out. The timing relay 429 was deenergized when the breaker first opened but the coil of the slow dropout relay 43I was kept energized by the intermittent closing and opening of the contacts 429a due to the vibration of the pendulum membe 4291). After the time interval for which the member 42% was set has expired, the contacts 429a remains open deenergizin the coil of relay 43I which causes opening of the contacts 43Id to complete the resetting of the interlocking relay system.

While the structure disclosed provides for three consecutive instantaneous or fractional stroke reclosures, it is to be understood that by the provision of additional relays in the previously described interlocking relay system, additional quickvreclosures may be effected. For illustrative purposes only, the interlocking relay system limitsthenumber of quick fractional stroke reclosures to three. The automatic recloser 4I8 may be of any suitable type which, when energized by closure of the auxiliary contacts 413 upon opening of the breaker, effects reclosure of the breaker a predetermined number of times with relatively long time intervals between successive reclosures in the event that the breaker fails to remain closed after its initial reclosure. Such automatic reclosing means are well known in the art and since the electrical circuits and detail construction thereof form no part of the instant invention, the reclosing means has been illustrated in a general manner as indicated at 4"! of the circuit diagram (Fig. 7). If the fault condition persists after the series of quick fractional stroke reclosures described previously, the automatic recloser 4! controls the breaker to make a plurality of timedelay reclosures. As statedpreviously, the automatic recloser 4I8 receives an initiating impulse by the closing of auxiliary contacts 413 and is energized over the transfer contacts 38517. When so energized, the recloser is adapted to repeatedly close two sets of contacts 4I8a and M8!) with a rela' tively long time interval between each closure.

Closure of the contacts 4I8b energizes the motor control relay coil 383 and the coil I53 of the clutch magnet, the circuits being traceable from the source conductor 389 through conductors 48I and 419. the contacts 4I8b, a conductor 481, conductor 505, contacts 489a of a relay 489, a conductor 49I and the conductor 39I, the auxiliary contacts 393 (closed when the breaker is open), the conductor 391, coil of relay 383, and conductor 399 to the conductor 31I. Energization of the relay coil 383 closes the contacts 383a and energizes the motor 83. At the same time. a circuit is established through the clutch coil I53 through contacts 393, the conductor 395, the contacts 409, conductor 4I3. clutch magnet coil I53, conductor 5, contacts 4I1a. and conductors M9 and 42I to the conductor 31I-.

Energization of the clutch coil couples the motor, which is now running due to the closure of contacts 383a to the breaker mechanism. The

motor moves the breaker to closed position closing auxiliary contacts 493 which establishes a circuit through the relay coil 489. This causes the contacts 489a to open thus deenergizing the coil of relay 383 and the coil of the clutch magnet I53, disconnecting the motor from the breaker mechanism. The circuit for the coil of relay 489 extends from the conductor 369 through the conductors 48I and 419, contacts 4I8a, conductors 495 and 491, the coil of relay 489, a conductor 499, auxiliary contacts 493 and conductor 42 I to conductor 31 I. The relay coil 489 seals itself in parallel with contacts 493 through itsown contacts 489b-and conductor 399 to the conductor 31I. The relay 489 therefore prevents the breaker from the socalled pumping action. As soon as the breaker is closed and the contacts 413 opened, the recloser 4 I 8 causes contacts 4l8a and 4I8b to open.

If the breaker remains closed; due to disappearance of the fault on the line, the initiating contacts 413 remain open and the recloser 4I8 proceeds to a reset position without again closing the contacts M811 and 4| 8b. However, should the fault persist, the protective relay device 359 will again function to trip the breaker. The contacts 413 again close to providean initiating impulse to the recloser 8, which after a predetermined time delay, again closes the contacts 4I8a and 4I8b to effect another reclosing operation in the previously described manner.

Automatic reclosing devices of the type referred to are usually designed to effect a predetermined number of timed reclosures and if the breaker trips open after the last reclosure of the breaker the recloser automatically locks out and the circuit breaker must now be reclosed manually. A manual control switch indicated generally at 50I is provided for this purpose. This switch is arranged, when operated, to complete the circuits from the conductor 389 over a conductor 593, through the several contacts of the switch 58I, and conductors 505 and 501 respectively to the motor relay coil 383 and the anti-pumping relay coil 489. Energization of these instrumentalities effect closing of the breaker in the manner previously described. a I

If the breaker remains closed after any one of the reclosuresthe recloser 8 goes to its normal or start position. As it approaches the start posiiton, a contact (not shown) therein is momentarily closed by the recloser mechanism to energize the coil of the relay 48I causing this relay to open its contacts 48I a. Opening of the contacts 48Ia opens the holding circuit for the transfer relay coil 385 permitting the relay to drop out, opening the contacts 38517 and 3850 and. closing contacts 385a and 385d. The interlocking relay system, the transfer relay 385 and the automatic recloser 4I8 are now in their normal positions.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that by the provision of the multiple break interrupters whereby the circuit is broken at more than two points, the arc is extinguished in a much shorter travel of the breaker operating mechanism and in a much shorter time interval than is required for the conventional double break construction. By shortening the stroke necessary to extinguish the arc and by providing a motor operated closing mechanism which may be connected to the movable contact member at any point in the opening stroke, the circuit maybe interrupted, the arc extinguished and thebreaker reclosed in a much shorter time interval than has been possible heretofore in circuit breakers of the double break type.

The circuit breaker is trip free of the operat-' ing motor under all conditions by virtue of the clutch mechanism whereby the movable contact member may be disconnected from the closing motor at any point in the closing stroke or from the closed position.

A further advantage resides in the provision of a plurality of quick fractional reclosures, that is, reclosures which are initiated before the movable contact member has reached its full open position. The majority of faults will have disappeared from the transmission line within the time required for one opening and fast reclosure. Two or more fast reclosures prevent undue interruption of the serv ice when a fault or short circuit persists for a longer time than that required for a single reclosure. In addition, there is provided an automatic reclosing device for effecting the reclosing of the breaker a predetermined number of times with a relatively long time interval between successive reclosures in case the circuit breaker fails to remain closed after the series of high speed reclosures.

It is thus apparent that we have provided a circuit breaker which has a simple motor operated closing mechanism, which provides a plurality of serie breaks to shorten the arc extinguishing stroke, which automatically eifects one or more high speed fractional stroke reclosures, and which is trip free in all positions.

Having described several embodiments of the invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the structural details disclosed without departing from some of the essential features of the invention. It is, therefore, desired that the language of the'appended claims be given as reasonably broad interpretation as the prior art permits.

We claim as our invention:

1. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means operable to move the movable contact members from an open position to, a closed position, trip means operable in response to predetermined circuit conditions to cause an opening movement of the'movable contact members, means operable during an opening movement of the movable contact members and before said contact members have reached full open position to energize said power operated means and to connect the movable contact members to the power operated means to reclose the breaker, and means operable to disengage said contacts from said power means and thereby effect an opening movement of the contact members irrespective of the energized 'ccndition of the power operated means.

2. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members movable to an open and to a closed position, trip means operable in response to predetermined circuit conditions for causing movement of said contact members to open position, power operated means operable to move the contact members to closed position, said power operated means being normally deenergized and disconnected from said contact members, and means operable during an opening movement of the contact members but before said members have reached full open position to energize said power operated means and to connect said power operated means to the movable contact members, said trip means being operable to cause an opening movement of said movable contact members irrespective of the energized condition of the power operated means. 1

.31 A circuit breaker comprisingrelatively movable contact members movable to an openposition and to a closed position, power operated means operable to move the contact members to closed position, said power operated means being normally disconnected from said contact members, means operable during a movement of the contact members to open position and before said members reach full open position to energize'said power operated means and to connect saijd power operated means to the contact members, and means operable in response to predetermined circuit conditions to effect operation of the connecting means to disconnect the power operated means from the contact members and thereby cause opening of the contact members irrespective of the supply of energy to the poweroperated means.

4. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means operable during opening movement of the contact members for initiating movement of said contact members to closed position, means to control the power operated means to initiate a plurality of reclosures several of which reclosures are initiated at least by the time the breaker reaches full open position, and means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions to effect opening movement of the movable contact members irrespective of the supply of energy to the power operated means.

5. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means for operating said movable contacts to the closed position, means for connecting the' contacts to said power operated means, means for controlling the con.- necting means to effect a predetermined number of reclosures of said contacts several of said re closures being initiated before the contacts have reached full open position, and means for controlling said connecting means to effect opening movement of the contacts irrespective of the supply of energy to said power operated means.

6. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means operable during opening movement of the contact members for initiating reclosing movement of said contact members before said members have reached full open position, means for controlling the power operated means to initiate a plurality of reclosing operations of said contact members several of said reclosing operations being initiated before said contact members have reached full open position, and means for effecting opening movement of the contact members irrespective of the flow of energy to said power operated means.

7. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of pairs of interrupting contacts, relatively movable disconnecting contacts, trip means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions, to cause opening movement of all of said contacts, actuating means operable during an opening movement to initiate a reclosing movement after the interrupting contacts ha e separated but before separation of the disconnecting contacts, means for releasably coupling the actuating means to the breaker. said trip means being operable to effect release of the contacts from the actuating means and cause an opening movement of said contacts irrespective of the position of the actuating means.

8. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of pairs of interrupting contacts, relatively movable disconnecting contacts disposed in operative relation with said interrupting contacts, means operable tocause opening of said contacts, actuating means operable to move the interrupting contacts and disconnecting contacts to closed position, coupling means between the actuating means and the disconnecting contacts, and means for controlling said coupling means to initiate reclosing movement of the interrupting contacts after the interrupting contacts have separated but before separation of said disconnecting conacts.

9. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of pairs of interrupting contacts adapted to interpose a plurality of breaks in the circuit controlled by the breaker, relatively movable disconnecting contacts disposed in operative relation with said pairs of interrupting contacts, mean for causing opening movement of said contacts, operating means operable to move the disconnecting contacts to a closed position, coupling means between the operating means and the disconnecting contacts, means to control the coupling means to initiate a closing movement after the interrupting contacts have separated but before separation of the disconnecting contacts, and means for controlling the coupling means to effect an opening movement of the contacts independently of the position or flow of energy to the operating means.

10. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of pairs of interrupting contacts disposed to form a plurality of breaks in the circuit controlled by the breaker, relatively movable disconnecting contacts disposed in operative relation with said interrupting contacts, operating mechanism for moving said contacts to a closed position, means for causing the operating mechanism to initiate a plurality of reclosure operations each of said reclosure operations being initiated after the interrupting contacts have fully separated but before separation of the disconnecting contacts, means for causing openin movement of said contacts irrespective of the position of the operating mechanism, and means for effecting additional reclosure operations with a relatively lon time interval between successive reclosures.

11. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of interrupting contacts, relatively movable disconnecting contacts disposed in operative relation with said interrupting contacts, and trip means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions to cause opening movement of said contacts, power operated means for moving said contacts to a closed position, coupling means between the power operated means and the disconnecting contacts, mean for controlling said couplin means and said power operated means to initiate a plurality of reclosures of said interrupting contacts each of said reclosures being initiated after the interrupting contacts have fully separated but before separation of the disconnecting contacts, said trip means being operable to cause an opening movement of said contacts irrespective of the supply of energy to said'power operated means.

12. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, closingmeans operable during opening movement of the contact members for initiating movement ,of said contact members to closed position, means to control the closing means to initiate a plurality of reclosures each following an automatic opening operation several of which reclosures are initiated at least by the time the breaker reaches full open position, and means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions to effect opening movement ofthe movable contact members irrespective of the energized condition of the closing means.

13. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, a closing means operable during opening movement of the contact members for initiating movement of said contact members to closed position, means to control the closing means to initiate a plurality of reclosures several of which reclosures are initiated at least by the time the breaker reaches full open position, means for releasably connecting the closing means to the movable contact members, and means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions for causing said connecting means to disconnect the contact members from the closing means to effect opening movement of the movable contact members irrespective of the condition of the closing means.

14. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of pairs of interrupting contacts, relatively movable disconnecting contacts electrically connected in series relation with said pairs of interrupting contacts, trip means operable to cause opening move ment of said contacts, power operated means for closing the breaker, means for releasably coupling the power operated means to the breaker, means operable to cause opening of the breaker, means for causing operation of the power operated means and said coupling means to initiate reclosing movement of the breaker after interruption of the circuit by said interrupting contacts and before the disconnecting contacts reach full open position, and means operable in responseto predetermined conditions in the circuit to cause the coupling means to u-ncouple the power operated means from the breaker and thereby cause opening of said breaker irespective of thecondition of the power operated means.

15. A circuit breaker having relatively movable contacts, operating means therefor comprising power operated means for closing the breaker, means for releasably coupling said power operated means to the breaker, means operable to cause opening of said breaker, means operable during an opening operation of the breaker for causing energizationof said power operated means and the coupling means to' initiate reclosing movement of said breaker at least by the time the breaker reaches full open position, and means operable in response to predetermined circuit conditions to cause the coupling means torelease the breaker from the power operated means and thereby cause opening of the breaker irrespective of the condition of the power operated means.

16. A circuit breaker having relatively movable contacts, operating means therefor including power operated means for closing thebreaker, means for releasably coupling the power operated means to said breaker, means operable to cause opening of the breaker, means operable during an operation of the breaker for causing energization of the power operated means and said coupling means to initiate reclosing movement of to release the breaker from the power operated means and thereby cause opening oi the breaker irrespective of the condition of the power operated means.

17. A circuit breaker having relatively movable contacts, operating means therefor including power operated means for closing the breaker, an electromagnetically controlled means for releasablycoupling the power operated means to the breaker, means operable to cause opening of the breaker, means operable during an opening operation of the breaker for first causing energization of the power operated means and for later causing operation of the coupling means to initiate reclosing movement of the breaker at least by the time the breaker reaches full open position, and means operable in response to predetermined conditions in the circuit to cause the coupling means to release the breaker and thereby cause opening of the breaker irrespective of the condition of the power operated means.

18. A circuit breaker having relatively movable contacts, operating means therefor including power operated means, an electromagnetically controlled device and band friction clutch for releasably coupling said motor to the breaker, means operable to cause opening of the breaker, means operable after interruption of the circuit but before the breaker reaches full open position for causing energization of the power operated means and for later causing engagement of the clutch to initiate reclosing movement of the breaker, and means operable in response to predetermined conditions in the circuit to deenergize the clutch and thereby cause opening of the breaker irrespective of the condition of the power operated means.

19. A circuit breaker having a pair of terminal members, current interrupting means comprising two or more pairs of interrupting contacts associated with each terminal member, said pairs of interrupting contacts being biased to open position, and a movable bridging contact member movable to closed position to close said interrupting contacts and complete the circuit and movable to open position to first cause opening of said pairs of interrupting contacts and to then separate from said interrupting means to provide a substantial gap in the circuit, means for causing opening movement of said bridging contact member, power operated means operable during opening operation to initiate reclosing movement of the bridging member immediately after the interrupting contacts have opened but before the bridging member disengages the interrupting means, means for causing operation of the power operated means, and means operable in response to predetermined circuit conditions to effect opening movement of the bridging member irrespective of the condition of the power operated means.

20. A circuit breaker having a pair of terminal members, current interrupting means comprising two or more pairs of interrupting contacts associated with each terminal member, said pairs of interrupting contacts being biased to open position, a movable bridging contact member movable to closed position to close the interrupting contacts and complete the circuit and movable to an open position to first cause opening of said pairs of interrupting contacts and then to separate from said interrupting means to provide a substantial gap in the circuit, power operated means for closing the breaker, means for releasably coupling the power operated means to the breaker, means operable to cause opening movement of the bridging contact member, means for causing operation of the power operated means and said coupling means to initiate reclosing movement of the bridging'memberimmediately after the interrupting contacts have opened but before the bridging member disengages the interrupting means, and means operable in response to predetermined conditions in the circuit to cause the coupling means to disengage the breaker from the power means and thereby cause opening of the breaker irrespective of the condition of the power operated means.

21. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means operable during opening movement of the contact members for initiating movement of said contact members to closed position, means to control the power operated means to initiate a plurality of reclosures several of which reclosures are initiated at least by the time the breaker reaches full open position, means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions to eiiect opening movement of the movable contact members irrespective of the supply of energy to the power operated means, and means for efiecting one or more reclosures after the breaker reaches full open position.

22. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means operable during opening movement of said contact members for initiating movement of said contact members to closed position, means to control the power operated means to initiate a plurality of reclosures several of which reclosures are initiated at least by the time the breaker reaches full open position, and means to control the power operated means to initiate one or more reclosures after the breaker has reached Iull open position.

23. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means for operating said movable contacts to the closed position, means for connecting the contacts to the power operated means, means for controlling the connecting means to effect a predetermined number of reclosures of said contacts several of said reclosures being initiated before the contacts have reached full open position, and means for controlling the connecting means to effect one or more reclosures after the contacts reach full open position.

24. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means for operating said movable contacts to the closed position, means for connnecting the contacts to the power operated means, means for controlling the connecting means to effect a predetermined number of reclosures of said contacts several of said reclosures being initiated before the contacts have reached full open position, means for controlling the connecting means to efiect one or more reclosures after the contacts reach full open position, and means for providing a time delay between successive reclosures from the full open position.

25. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, power operated means operable during opening movement of the contact members for initiating reclosing movement of said contact members before said contact members have reached full open position, means for controlling said power operated means to initiate a plurality of reclosing operations of said contact members several of said reclosing operations being initiated before said contact members have reached full open position, several of said reclosing operations being initiated after the contact members have reached full open position, and means for providing a time delay between the reclosures from full open position of the contact members and for finally locking said contact members in full open position.

26; A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, closing means operable during opening movement of said contact members for initiating movement of said contact members to closed position, means for controlling the closing means to initiate a plurality of vreclosures each following an automatic opening operation several of which reclosures are initiated at least by the time the contact members reach full open position, means for causing said closing means to initiate one or more reclosures after the contact members reach full open position, and

a timing device for delaying said reclosures from the full open position of said contact members.

27. A circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact members for opening and closing an electrical circuit, closing means operable during opening movement of said contact members for initiating movement of said contact members to closed position, means for controlling the closing means to initiate a plurality of reclosures each following an automatic opening operation several of which reclosures are initiated at least by the time the contact members reach full open position, means for causing said closing means to initiate one or more reclosures after the contact members reach full open position, and a timing device for delaying said reclosures from the full open position of said contact members, said timing device being operable to lock said contact members in full open position following the last full stroke reclosure.

JOHN B. MACNEIIL.

ALFRED J. A. PETERSON.

WILLARD T. PARKER. 

